Portable item holder having a fastener and method for using the holder

ABSTRACT

An item holder mountable by suction on a mounting surface including a deformable body. The body includes an outer surface and an inner surface having a concave portion. The body further includes a periphery extending around the body and surrounding the outer and inner surfaces. The body also includes a hole extending through the body between the outer and inner surfaces for holding an item. The body is deformable from an undeformed shape to an actuated shape to mount the holder on the mounting surface by positioning the inner surface adjacent the mounting surface when the body is in its undeformed shape thereby forming a cavity between the body and the mounting surface and deforming the body to its actuated shape thereby sealing the body against the mounting surface and forcing fluid from the cavity to create a suction between the body and the mounting surface thereby securing them together.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to item holders and, more particularly, toportable item holders that vacuum mount to surfaces.

Many conventional item holders, such as conventional key chains, includerings or cords that hold items. A user can temporarily store the holderon a wall by hanging the ring or cord on a hook extending from the wall.The hook may be mounted directly to the wall or mounted on a magnet orsuction cup that can be removably attached to a corresponding surface.Other conventional item holders, such as most pictures frames, aredesigned to display an item on a wall. Such displaying holders must alsobe hung from a hook extending from the wall. Conventional item holdershave many drawbacks.

One drawback of conventional item holders is that they cannot be storedon vertical surfaces unless they are hung on a hook extending from thevertical surface. The hook-and-magnet or suction-cup devices describedabove are helpful but have limited convenience. For example, ahook-and-magnet device requires a ferrous surface. Thus, the device willnot work where the surface is not ferrous. Whatever types of hooks areused, they need to be positioned in every location a user wants to storethe key chain. Further, because the hooks required for hangingconventional item holders on a vertical surface are not part of theholders, the holders cannot be stored in many desired locations awayfrom the usual mounting places unless the user takes the hook orhook-having device with them. For example, people cannot mount their keychain to a hotel room mirror unless they have their hook-supportingdevice with them.

Further, changing a storing or displaying location of conventional itemholders requiring hooks fixed to walls for hanging is often cumbersome.For example, nails or other types of hooks often need to be removed fromwalls when a user wants to rearrange their interior decoration. Removinghooks from walls results in holes and/or scars on the walls, whichusually need to be repaired by filling and painting.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an item holder mountable by suction ona generally smooth mounting surface including a deformable body. Thedeformable body includes an outer surface and an inner surface having aconcave portion opposite the outer surface. The deformable body furtherincludes a periphery extending around the body and surrounding the outersurface and inner surface. The deformable body also includes a holeextending through the body between the outer surface and inner surfacefor holding an item during use of the holder. The body is deformablefrom an undeformed shape to an actuated shape to mount the holder on themounting surface by positioning the inner surface of the body adjacentthe mounting surface when the body is in its undeformed shape therebyforming a cavity between the body and the mounting surface and deformingthe body to its actuated shape thereby sealing the body against themounting surface and forcing fluid out of the cavity to create a suctionbetween the body and the mounting surface thereby securing the body tothe mounting surface.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to an item holdermountable by suction on a generally smooth mounting surface including adeformable body. The deformable body includes an outer surface that issubstantially free of protrusions and an inner surface having a concaveportion opposite the outer surface. The deformable body further includesa periphery extending around the body and surrounding the outer surfaceand inner surface. The item holder further includes an appendageextending from a base adjacent the periphery to a tip opposite the base.The appendage has a hole therein for holding an item during use of theholder. The body is deformable from an undeformed shape to an actuatedshape to mount the holder on the mounting surface by positioning theinner surface of the body adjacent the mounting surface when the body isin its undeformed shape thereby forming a cavity between the body andthe mounting surface and deforming the body to its actuated shapethereby sealing the body against the mounting surface and forcing fluidout of the cavity to create a suction between the body and the mountingsurface thereby securing the body to the mounting surface.

In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to an item holdermountable by suction on a generally smooth mounting surface including adeformable body. The deformable body includes an outer surface and aninner surface having a concave portion opposite the outer surface. Thedeformable body further includes a periphery extending around the bodyand surrounding the inner surface and outer surface. The item holderfurther includes an appendage extending from a base adjacent theperiphery to a tip opposite the base. The item holder also includes aconnector attached to the appendage for connecting the appendageadjacent the tip to a position on the holder adjacent the base to form aloop for holding an item during use of the holder. The body isdeformable from an undeformed shape to an actuated shape to mount theholder on the mounting surface by positioning the inner surface of thebody adjacent the mounting surface when the body is in its undeformedshape thereby forming a cavity between the body and the mounting surfaceand deforming the body to its actuated shape thereby sealing the bodyagainst the mounting surface and forcing fluid out of the cavity tocreate a suction between the body and the mounting surface therebysecuring the body to the mounting surface.

In still another aspect, the present invention relates to an item holdermountable by suction on a generally smooth mounting surface including adeformable body. The deformable body includes an outer surface having aconvex portion that is substantially free of protrusions and an innersurface having a concave portion opposite the convex portion. Thedeformable body further includes a periphery extending around the bodyand surrounding the inner surface and outer surface. The item holderfurther includes a fastener attached to the outer surface of the bodyfor attaching an item to the holder. The body is deformable from anundeformed shape to an actuated shape to mount the holder on themounting surface by positioning the inner surface of the body adjacentthe mounting surface when the body is in its undeformed shape therebyforming a cavity between the body and the mounting surface and deformingthe body to its actuated shape thereby sealing the body against themounting surface and forcing fluid out of the cavity to create a suctionbetween the body and the mounting surface thereby securing the body tothe mounting surface.

In still yet another aspect, the present invention relates to an itemholder mountable by suction on a generally smooth mounting surfaceincluding a deformable body. The deformable body includes an outersurface and an inner surface having a concave portion opposite the outersurface. The deformable body further includes a periphery extendingaround the body and surrounding the inner surface and outer surface. Theitem holder further includes an appendage extending from a baseconnected to the periphery to a tip opposite the base. The item holderalso includes a base attached to the appendage for attaching an item tothe holder. The body is deformable from an undeformed shape to anactuated shape to mount the holder on the mounting surface bypositioning the inner surface of the body adjacent the mounting surfacewhen the body is in its undeformed shape thereby forming a cavitybetween the body and the mounting surface and deforming the body to itsactuated shape thereby sealing the body against the mounting surface andforcing fluid out of the cavity to create a suction between the body andthe mounting surface thereby securing the body to the mounting surface.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to an item holdermountable by suction on a generally smooth mounting surface including adeformable body. The deformable body includes an outer surface that issubstantially free of protrusions and an inner surface having a concaveportion opposite the outer surface. The deformable body further includesan edge extending around the body and a hole extending through thedeformable body in a direction that is generally parallel to themounting surface during use of the holder. The body is deformable froman undeformed shape to an actuated shape to mount the holder on themounting surface by positioning the inner surface of the body adjacentthe mounting surface when the body is in its undeformed shape therebyforming a cavity between the body and the mounting surface and deformingthe body to its actuated shape thereby sealing the body against themounting surface and forcing fluid out of the cavity to create a suctionbetween the body and the mounting surface thereby securing the body tothe mounting surface.

In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to an item holdermountable by suction on a generally smooth mounting surface. The holderincludes a deformable body including an outer surface and an innersurface having a concave portion opposite the outer surface. Thedeformable body further includes an edge extending around the body and aprotrusion extending from the body. The protrusion has a hole extendingthrough the protrusion in a direction that is generally parallel to themounting surface during use of the holder. The body is deformable froman undeformed shape to an actuated shape to mount the holder on themounting surface by positioning the inner surface of the body adjacentthe mounting surface when the body is in its undeformed shape therebyforming a cavity between the body and the mounting surface and deformingthe body to its actuated shape thereby sealing the body against themounting surface and forcing fluid out of the cavity to create a suctionbetween the body and the mounting surface thereby securing the body tothe mounting surface.

In still another aspect, the present invention relates to a method ofusing an item holder including a deformable body having an outersurface, an inner surface having a concave portion opposite the outersurface, a periphery extending around the body and surrounding the innersurface and outer surface, and a hole extending through the body betweenthe outer surface to the inner surface. The method includes connectingan item to the holder so that the item at least partially fills thehole. The method further includes positioning the inner surface of thebody adjacent the mounting surface while the body is in an undeformedshape thereby forming a cavity between the body and the mountingsurface. The method also includes moving the body to an actuated shapethereby sealing the body against the mounting surface and forcing fluidout of the cavity to create a suction between the body and the mountingsurface thereby securing the body to the mounting surface. In addition,the method includes demounting the body from the mounting surface bymoving the body out of its actuated shape thereby breaking the seal andsuction. Moreover, the method includes using the item after thedemounting step and without repositioning the inner surface of the bodyadjacent the mounting surface or moving the body to its actuated shapebefore using the item.

In still yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a methodof using an item holder including a deformable body having an outersurface, an inner surface having a concave portion opposite the outersurface, and a periphery extending around the body and surrounding theinner surface and outer surface, and an appendage extending from thebody having a hole therein. The method includes connecting an item tothe holder so that the item at least partially fills the hole. Themethod further includes positioning the inner surface of the bodyadjacent the mounting surface while the body is in an undeformed shapethereby forming a cavity between the body and the mounting surface. Themethod also includes moving the body to an actuated shape therebysealing the body against the mounting surface and forcing fluid out ofthe cavity to create a suction between the body and the mounting surfacethereby securing the body to the mounting surface. In addition, themethod includes demounting the body from the mounting surface by movingthe body out of its actuated shape thereby breaking the seal andsuction. Moreover, the method includes using the item after thedemounting step and without repositioning the inner surface of the bodyadjacent the mounting surface or moving the body to its actuated shapebefore using the item.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method of using anitem holder including a deformable body having an outer surface, aninner surface having a concave portion opposite the outer surface, and aperiphery extending around the body and surrounding the inner surfaceand outer surface, an appendage extending from a base adjacent theperiphery to a tip opposite the base, and a connector attached to theappendage for connecting the appendage adjacent the tip to a position onthe holder adjacent the base to form a loop. The method includesconnecting an item to the loop and positioning the inner surface of thebody adjacent the mounting surface while the body is in an undeformedshape thereby forming a cavity between the body and the mountingsurface. The method further includes moving the body to an actuatedshape thereby sealing the body against the mounting surface and forcingfluid out of the cavity to create a suction between the body and themounting surface thereby securing the body to the mounting surface. Themethod also includes demounting the body from the mounting surface bymoving the body out of its actuated shape thereby breaking the seal andsuction. In addition, the method includes using the item after thedemounting step and without repositioning the inner surface of the bodyadjacent the mounting surface or moving the body to its actuated shapebefore using the item.

In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a method ofusing an item holder including a deformable body having an outersurface, an inner surface having a concave portion opposite the outersurface and a periphery extending around the body and surrounding theinner surface and outer surface. The body further has a hole extendingthrough the body in a direction that is generally parallel to a mountingsurface during use of the holder. The method includes connecting an itemto the holder so that the item at least partially fills the hole. Themethod further includes positioning the inner surface of the bodyadjacent the mounting surface while the body is in an undeformed shapethereby forming a cavity between the body and the mounting surface. Themethod also includes moving the body to an actuated shape therebysealing the body against the mounting surface and forcing fluid out ofthe cavity to create a suction between the body and the mounting surfacethereby securing the body to the mounting surface. In addition, themethod includes demounting the body from the mounting surface by movingthe body out of its actuated shape thereby breaking the seal andsuction. Moreover, the method includes using the item after thedemounting step and without repositioning the inner surface of the bodyadjacent the mounting surface or moving the body to its actuated shapebefore using the item.

In still another aspect, the present invention relates to a method ofusing an item holder including a deformable body having an outersurface, an inner surface having a concave portion opposite the outersurface, and a periphery extending around the body and surrounding theinner surface and outer surface. The holder further includes aprotrusion extending from the body having a hole extending through theprotrusion in a direction that is generally parallel to a mountingsurface during use of the holder. The method includes connecting an itemto the holder so that the item at least partially fills the hole. Themethod further includes positioning the inner surface of the bodyadjacent the mounting surface while the body is in an undeformed shapethereby forming a cavity between the body and the mounting surface. Themethod also includes moving the body to an actuated shape therebysealing the body against the mounting surface and forcing fluid out ofthe cavity to create a suction between the body and the mounting surfacethereby securing the body to the mounting surface. In addition, themethod includes demounting the body from the mounting surface by movingthe body out of its actuated shape thereby breaking the seal andsuction. Moreover, the method includes using the item after thedemounting step and without repositioning the inner surface of the bodyadjacent the mounting surface or moving the body to its actuated shapebefore using the item.

Other aspects of the present invention will be in part apparent and inpart pointed out hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan of an item holder according to a first embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross section of the item holder taken along line 2-2 ofFIG. 1 shown in an undeformed shape adjacent a mounting surface.

FIG. 3 is a cross section of the item holder of FIG. 2 shown in anactuated shape secured to the mounting surface.

FIG. 4 is a top plan of an item holder according to a second embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top plan of an item holder according to a third embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a top plan of an item holder according to a fourth embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a top plan of an item holder according to a fifth embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a top plan of an item holder according to a sixth embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross section of the item holder taken along line 9-9 ofFIG. 8 shown in an undeformed shape adjacent the mounting surface.

FIG. 10 is a cross section of the item holder of FIG. 9 shown in anactuated shape secured to the mounting surface.

FIG. 11 is a top plan of an item holder according to a seventhembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is cross section of the item holder taken along line 12-12 ofFIG. 11 shown in an actuated shape secured to the mounting surface.

FIG. 13 is a cross section of the item holder according to an eighthembodiment of the present invention having a releasable fastener.

FIG. 14 is a cross section of an item holder according to a ninthembodiment of the present invention shown in an actuated shape securedto the mounting surface.

FIG. 15 is a cross section of an item holder according to a tenthembodiment of the present invention shown in an actuated shape securedto the mounting surface.

FIG. 16 is a cross section of an item holder according to an eleventhembodiment of the present invention shown in an actuated shape securedto the mounting surface.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the figures, and more particularly to FIG. 1, a portableitem holder according to a first embodiment of the present invention isdesignated in its entirety by reference number 10. The item holder 10has a flexible or deformable body 12 including an outer surface 14, aninner surface 16, and a periphery 18 extending around the body andsurrounding the inner surface and the outer surface. The flexible body12 does not include appendages extending from the periphery 18. Forexample, the flexible body 12 does not include release taps commonlyextending from peripheries of conventional suction cups. Although theflexible body 12 may include other materials without departing from thescope of the present invention, in one embodiment the body includes aresinous thermoplastic such as polyvinyl chloride. As shown in FIG. 2,the outer surface 14 may include a convex portion 20. The inner surface16 includes a concave portion 22 opposite the outer surface 14. Forembodiments in which the outer surface 14 includes the convex portion20, the concave portion 22 of the inner surface 16 may be opposite theconvex portion. The outer surface 14 may be substantially free ofprotrusions such as the central knobs protruding from outer surfaces ofconventional suction cups. In one embodiment, the convex portion 20 issubstantially free of protrusions. The flexible body has a thickness Tmeasured between the outer surface 14 and the inner surface 16. Thethickness T may vary throughout the flexible body 12 or be generallyconstant. For example, the thickness T may vary from a maximum thicknessof between about 0.25 inch and about 0.1 inch in a central region 24 ofthe convex and/or concave portions 20, 22 and a minimum thickness ofbetween about 0.08 inch and about 0.04 inch adjacent the periphery 18.In one embodiment, the flexible body 12 has a constant thickness T ofbetween about 0.13 inch and about 0.08 inch.

The flexible body 12 is deformable between an undeformed or defaultshape, shown in FIG. 2, and an actuated shape, shown in FIG. 3, to mountthe holder 10 by suction or vacuum on a generally smooth and generallynon-porous mounting surface 26. The holder 10 may be secured to mountingsurfaces 26 having various attitudes. For example, the holder 10 may bemounted on an upward facing or downward facing horizontal mountingsurface 26. The holder 10 may also be mounted on a vertical surface 26or on a generally upward or downward facing surface that is angledbetween horizontal and vertical. Mountability of the holder 10 on adownward facing surface may be limited when the holder is holding heavyand/or bulky items with respect to the size of the flexible body 12. Amounting strength of the holder 10 depends in part on the size, shape,and material of the body 12 and characteristics of the mounting surface26, such as smoothness and porosity.

The mounting surface 26 must include a surface area that is at least aslarge as an area the flexible body 12 spans when it is in its actuatedshape. To mount the holder 10 on the mounting surface 26, the innersurface 16 of the flexible body 12 is positioned adjacent the mountingsurface when the body is in its default shape, as shown in FIG. 2. Bypositioning the flexible body 12 in this way, a cavity 28 is formedbetween the body 12 and the mounting surface 26. Then the flexible body12 is moved to its actuated shape (i.e., causing the inner surface 16 toconform to the mounting surface), as shown in FIG. 3, thereby sealingthe body against the mounting surface 26 and forcing fluid such as airout of the cavity 28 to create the suction between the body and themounting surface. The suction created within the sealed cavity securesthe body 12 to the mounting surface 26. As the flexible body 12 isdeformed toward the actuated shape, reflex or spring forces are createdin the body between the convex and concave portions 20, 22 that act toreturn the body to its default shape. As will be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art, the flexible body 12 must be sized and shaped soforces created by the suction balance with or are greater than the sumof the reflex forces created in the body and any loading on the body tocreate and maintain the connection between the body and mounting surface26.

The periphery 18 of the flexible body 12 may have various sizes andshapes without departing from the scope of the present invention, aslong as the suction between the holder 10 and the mounting surface 26can be created and maintained as described above. For some periphery 18shapes, the reflex forces in the body 12 must be reduced in places toensure secure mounting of the holder 10 on the mounting surface 26. Oneway to reduce reflex forces is by selectively changing body 12 thicknessT. For example, the thickness T of the flexible body 12 may taper from amaximum thickness adjacent the central region 24 of the convex andconcave portions 20, 22 to a minimum thickness adjacent the periphery18, as described above, to reduce reflex forces. It is contemplated thatreflex forces can also be reduced by varying the material or materialproperties of the flexible body 12 between the central region 24 and theperiphery 18.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the holder 10 in which the periphery 18 isshaped as a cardiod. The periphery 18 may be symmetric, such ascircular, square, or oval, or non-symmetric. In one embodiment, theperiphery 18 is non-circular. Other exemplary periphery 18 shapesinclude those corresponding to articles of clothing such as a shirt orshoe, structures such as a house, a vehicle such as a car, boat, orairplane, and articles of natures such as a fruit, flower, tree, person,or animal. Also, the body 12 may be colored as desired. For example, thecardiod-shaped holder 10 shown in FIG. 1 may be red and a tree-shapedholder (not shown) may be green and/or brown.

The flexible body 12 includes a hole 30 extending through the body fromthe outer surface 14 to the inner surface 16 for holding an item 32(shown in FIG. 2) during use of the holder 10. The holder 10 may includea link 34 extending through the hole 30 for attaching the item 32 to theholder 10 or the item may be connected directly to the flexible body 12through the hole during use of the holder. In one embodiment, the item32 includes the link 34 for connecting it to the body 12 through thehole 30 and in another embodiment both the item and the holder 10include links for connecting the item and holder together during use ofthe holder.

The holder 10 may include various types of links 34 without departingfrom the scope of the present invention. In one embodiment, the link 34includes a ring, such as a conventional key ring, as shown in FIGS. 2and 3. The link 34 may be sized and shaped in various ways withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. For example, a ringlink 34 may have a diameter of between about 0.18 inch and about 1.5inches. In another embodiment (not shown), the link 34 includes aflexible member, such as a linked chain, a nylon, plastic, or metalcord, or a flexible strap, connected to the body 12 through the hole 30for holding the item 32 during use of the holder 10. The holder 10 maybe used to hold a variety of items 32 without departing from the scopeof the present invention. For example, FIGS. 2 and 3 show the holder 10holding a key. Other exemplary items 32 include flashlights, cards suchas a credit or identification cards, pagers, picture frames, charms,calendars, and clips such as those that can be releasably connected to abelt loop (not shown).

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the hole 30 must beformed in a portion of the flexible body 12 that is not needed formaintaining the suction that secures the item holder 10 to the mountingsurface 26 during use of the holder. This material, which is not neededfor suction, is referred to as an extra portion of the flexible body 12herein. If the extra portion is too short relative to the item 32 and/orlink 34, the item and link will interfere with mounting the holder 10 onthe mounting surface 26 or may undesirably demount the holder after ithad been secured to the mounting surface by pushing the holder away fromit. The size of the extra portion and hole 30 location can be measuredin various ways. For example, one characteristic that may be consideredis a maximum clearance Δ (shown in FIG. 2) between the hole 30 and themounting surface 26 while the holder 10 is secured to the mountingsurface. In an embodiment in which the body 12 has a maximum lengthL_(B) (shown in FIG. 3) of between about 2.1 inches and about 2.8inches, the body is configured so that the maximum clearance Δ isbetween about 0.25 inch and about 0.44 inch. As will be apparent tothose skilled in the art, larger and smaller flexible bodies 12 of thesame shape generally have maximum clearances Δ that are larger andsmaller, respectively. A larger maximum clearance Δ may be required forholding bulkier items 32 and/or links 34. However, for some embodimentsof the holder 10 including or used in combination with certain items 32and/or links 34, the holder can hold very bulky items with little or noincrease in required maximum clearance Δ.

Hole 30 location may also be characterized with respect to distancesbetween the hole and other portions of the body 12. For example, adesigner of the holder 10 may consider a length L_(H) (shown in FIG. 2)extending between the hole 30 and the cavity 28 (or “hole-to-cavitylength”) formed during mounting of the device 10 on the mounting surface26 before deformation of the body for mounting. In one embodiment, thebody 12 is configured so that the hole-to-cavity length L_(H) is betweenabout 0.25 inch and about 1.25 inches. A designer of the holder 10 mayalso consider the maximum length of the body L_(B) and a length L_(C)between a center 35 of the central region 24 and the hole 30 (or“center-to-hole length”). Although the flexible body 12 may have othermaximum lengths L_(B) without departing from the scope of the presentinvention, in one embodiment the flexible body has a maximum length ofbetween about 2 inches and about 3 inches. Although the flexible body 12may have other center-to-hole lengths L_(C) without departing from thescope of the present invention, in one embodiment the body has acenter-to-hole length of between about 0.5 inch and about 1.5 inches.Additional variables that may be considered during holder 10 design arethe size and shape of the link 34 and/or item 32. As described above,the holder 10 may include or be used in combination with links 34 and/oritems 32 of various sizes and shapes.

Through experimentation and calculation, a designer of the holder 10 mayidentify relationships amongst characteristics of the holder includingthe maximum clearance Δ, the size and shape of the link 34, the maximumbody length L_(B), the hole-to-cavity length L_(H), and thecenter-to-hole length L_(C). For example, a designer may identifyrelationships between the maximum body length L_(B), the size of thelink 34, and the center-to-hole length L_(C). For a holder 10 accordingto one particular embodiment including a body 12 made of polyvinylchloride having a maximum length L_(B) of about 2.75 inches andincluding or used in combination with a ring-shaped link 34 having adiameter of between about 0.25 inch and about 1.5 inches, one preferredcenter-to-hole length L_(C) is about 1.125 inches. For a holder 10according to another particular embodiment including a body 12 made ofpolyvinyl chloride and having a maximum length L_(B) of about 2.75inches, but including or used in combination with a smaller link 34,such as a link having a size similar to a size of a conventional safetypin (e.g., having a maximum width of between about 0.0625 inch and about0.25 inch), one preferred center-to-hole length L_(C) is about 0.75inch. As another example, for a holder 10 according to a particularembodiment including a body 12 (e.g., a body having a periphery shapedas an apple) made of polyvinyl chloride having a maximum length L_(B) ofabout 2.125 inches and including or used in combination with aring-shaped link 34 having a diameter of between about 0.25 inch andabout 1.5 inches, one preferred center-to-hole length L_(C) is about0.875 inch. For a holder 10 according to yet another particularembodiment including a body 12 made of polyvinyl chloride, having amaximum length L_(H) of about 2.75 inches, and including or used incombination with a link 34 having a size similar to the size of aconventional safety pin, one preferred center-to-hole length L_(C) isabout 0.75 inch.

A designer may also identify specific exemplary relationships betweenthe center-to-hole length L_(C), the size of the link 34, and themaximum clearance Δ. A holder 10 according to a particular embodimentincluding a body 12 made of polyvinyl chloride having a center-to-holelength L_(C) of between about 1 inch and about 1.125 inches andincluding or used in combination with a ring-shaped link 34 having adiameter of about 1.125 inches has a maximum clearance Δ of betweenabout 0.3125 inch and about 0.4375 inch. According to another particularembodiment, a holder 10 including a body 12 made of polyvinyl chlorideand having a center-to-hole length L_(C) of between about 1 inch andabout 1.125 inches, but including or used in combination with a link 34having a size similar to the size of a conventional safety pin, also hasa maximum clearance Δ of between about 0.3125 inch and about 0.4375inch.

As shown in FIG. 1, the holder 10 may include a message 36 displayed onthe outer surface 14 of the flexible body 12, on the inner surface 16 ofthe body, and/or between them. Various types of messages 36 may bedisplayed on or in the flexible body 12 for various reasons withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. For example, words,logos, and/or art may be displayed on or in the flexible body 12 foraesthetic and/or communication purposes. The message 36 may be securedto or formed in the body 12 in various ways without departing from thescope of the present invention. For example, the message 36 may beprinted on the outer surface 14 or inner surface 16 of the body 12. Themessage 36 may also be printed on a label adhered to the outer surface14 and the label may be fully or partially opaque, translucent, and/ortransparent as desired. It is contemplated that the message 36 may beformed using material of the flexible body 12 by, for example, molding,melting, etching, or engraving the message into the outer surface 14 ofthe body. The message 36 may be colored as desired and, as describedabove, the flexible body 12 may be colored as desired. The shape of thebody 12, the color of the body, the message 36, and the color of themessage may be selected to relate to each another as desired. Forexample, in one embodiment (not shown), a golf ball inspired holder hasa generally circular periphery, a message including actual dimples or arendition of dimples printed or otherwise displayed on the outer surfaceof the body, and a white body.

The item holder 10 may be used in various ways without departing fromthe scope of the present invention. To use the holder 10, a userconnects the item 32 to the holder by way of the hole 30 in the flexiblebody 12 and mounts the holder on a generally smooth and generallynon-porous mounting surface 26. As described above, the item 32 may beconnected to the flexible body 12 directly by way of the hole 30 orconnected to the body by way of one or more links 34. Exemplary uses ofthe holder 10 include storing and/or displaying items 32 on a homerefrigerator or mirror between uses of the items. The user can alsostore and/or display items 32 on a smooth surface 26 at work orelsewhere between uses of the item. A benefit of the present inventionis flexibility to relocate the holder 10 on generally any smooth andnon-porous mounting surface 26 as desired. For this reason, the holder10 is said to be portable.

The holder 10 may be used to hold an item 32 usable after the holder isremoved from the mounting surface 26. For example, the holder 10 can beused to hold a key, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, which may be used to opena lock after the holder is demounted from the mounting surface 26. Theholder 10 may also hold an item 32 that is used for reasons other thandisplay while the holder is secured to the mounting surface 26. Forexample, the holder 10 may hold a writing pen (not shown) attached tothe flexible body 12 of the holder by a type of link 34 that is longenough to allow use of the pen on a nearby writing surface while theholder is secured to the mounting surface 26.

As describe above, securing the holder 10 to the mounting surface 26includes positioning the inner surface 16 of the flexible body 12adjacent the mounting surface while the body is in its default shapethereby forming the cavity 28 between the body and the mounting surface.Then, the flexible body 12 is moved to its actuated shape therebysealing the body against the mounting surface 26 and forcing fluid suchas air out of the cavity 28 to create a suction between the flexiblebody and the mounting surface. Sealing the suction between the flexiblebody 12 and the mounting surface 26 secures the body to the mountingsurface. To demount the flexible body 12 from the mounting surface 26,for example to relocate the holder 10 on another smooth mounting surfaceor for using the item before remounting the holder, the body is movedout of its actuated shape thereby breaking the seal and suction. Tobreak the seal and move the body 12 out of its actuated shape, the usermay move or pull on a portion of the periphery 18, on the item 32, or onthe link 34. The item 32 may be used for its intended purpose while theitem is secured to the mounting surface 26 by the holder 10 or after theholder has been demounted and before the holder has been remounted tothe mounting surface by repositioning the inner surface 16 of theflexible body 12 adjacent a mounting surface and moving the body to itsactuated shape. To hold heavier and/or more bulky items 32, the holder10 may need to be mounted on the surface 26 with the extra portionhaving the hole 30 oriented generally downward to avoid having a weightof the items pull on the periphery 18 too much to undesirably disengageor preclude mounting of the holder. For lighter and less bulky items,the holder 10 may be mounted with the extra portion having the hole 30oriented in any direction.

FIG. 4 shows an item holder 40 according to another embodiment of thepresent invention including an appendage 44 extending from a base 46connected to a periphery 48 of the body to a tip 50 opposite the base.The appendage 44 has a hole 52 therein for holding the item 32 and/orlink 34 (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) during use of the holder 40. Theappendage 44 is extra material added to the body for, at least in part,holding the item 32. The appendage 44 may have various sizes and shapeswithout departing from the scope of the present invention. The appendage44 should be sized and shaped so the item 32 and/or link 34 attached tothe appendage do not interfere with the ability of the holder 40 tomaintain suction against the mounting surface 26 (shown in FIGS. 2 and3). For example, if the appendage 44 is too small relative to the item32 and/or link 34, the item and/or link will interfere with mounting theholder 40 on the mounting surface 26 or may undesirably demount amounted holder by pushing the holder away from the mounting surface.

The size of the appendage 44 can be measured in various ways. In oneembodiment, the appendage 44 is configured so that the hole 52 can beseparated from the mounting surface 26 by a maximum clearance (similarto the maximum clearance Δ shown in FIG. 3) of between about 1 inch andabout 3 inches while the holder 40 is secured to the mounting surface.The maximum clearance depends in part on the maximum length of theappendage L_(A). Although the appendage 44 may have other maximumlengths L_(A) without departing from the scope of the present invention,in one embodiment the appendage has a maximum length that is betweenabout 10% and about 100% of a maximum length L_(B) of the body. Forexample, in a particular embodiment, the appendage 44 has a maximumlength L_(A) of between about 0.2 inch and about 2.5 inches and the body12 has a maximum length L_(B) of between about 2 inches and about 2.5inches. In one embodiment, the appendage 44 has a maximum length L_(A)that is at least 10% of a maximum length L_(B) of the body. The maximumclearance of the holder 40 may be generally proportionate to the maximumlength L_(A) of the appendage 44. For example, an appendage having alength L_(A) that is greater than 2.5 inches could have a maximumclearance greater than about 3 inches in some proportion to the increasein appendage length above 2.5 inches. As a particular example, a holder40 including an appendage 44 having a maximum length L_(A) of about 5inches may have a maximum clearance of about 5.5 inches.

Although the appendage 44 may have other masses without departing fromthe scope of the present invention, in one embodiment the appendage hasa mass that is between about 1% and about 22% of a total mass of thebody. For example, in a particular embodiment, the appendage 44 has amass of between about 0.06 gram and about 1.25 grams and the body 12 hasa mass of between about 5.9 grams and about 6.25 grams. Further,although the appendage 44 may have other weights without departing fromthe scope of the present invention, in one embodiment the appendage hasa weight that is between about 1.4% and about 23% of a total weight ofthe body. For example, in a particular embodiment, the appendage 44 hasa weight of between about 0.0002 pound and about 0.003 pound and thebody 12 has a weight of between about 0.013 pound and about 0.014 pound.In one embodiment, the appendage 44 has a weight that is at least about1% of the total body weight. Also, although the appendage 44 may haveother volumes without departing from the scope of the present invention,in one embodiment the appendage has a volume that is between about 1%and about 21% of a total volume of the body. For example, in aparticular embodiment, the appendage 44 has a volume of between about0.007 cubic inches and about 0.127 cubic inches and the body 12 has avolume of between about 0.621 cubic inches and about 0.748 cubic inches.

As with previously described embodiments, the holder 40 according tothis embodiment may have various shapes without departing from the scopeof the present invention. FIG. 5 shows a holder 60 including a flexiblebody 62 and an appendage 64. The appendage 64 extends from a generallycircular periphery 66 of the body 62 and has a hole 68 for holding theitem 32 and/or link 34 (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3). FIG. 6 shows a holder70 including a body 72 and an appendage 74. The appendage 74 extendsfrom a periphery 76 shaped as a house and includes a hole 78 for holdingthe item 32 and/or link 34. FIG. 7 shows a holder 80 including a body 82and an appendage 84. The appendage 84 extends from a periphery 86 shapedas an apple and has a hole 88 for holding the item 32 and/or link 34.Just as the appendage 84 extends from an apple stem portion 90 of theholder 80 in FIG. 7, holders having other shapes may have an appendageextending from an extended portion of those shapes. For example, anappendage may extend from a trunk of an item holder having a peripheryshaped as an elephant, from a tail of an item holder having a peripheryshaped as an airplane, or from a stem of an item holder having aperiphery shaped as a flower (not shown).

The peripheries 76, 86 of the holders 70, 80 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7outline a general shape of the respective body 72, 82. Thus, theperiphery 76 of the house-shaped holder 70 shown in FIG. 6 outlines thesides, bottom, roof, and chimney of the house because they are parts ofthe house shape. The appendage 74 of this embodiment is formed bymaterial added to the house shape for, at least in part, holding theitem 32 during use of the holder 70. Similarly, the periphery 86 of theapple-shaped holder 80 shown in FIG. 7 outlines the apple including afruit portion and the stem 90 because they are parts of the apple shape.The appendage 84 of this embodiment is added to the apple shape for, atleast in part, holding the item 32 during use of the holder 80.

To hold heavier and/or more bulky items 32, the holders 40, 60, 70, 80according to the second embodiment may need to be mounted with theirappendage 44, 64, 74, 84 extending generally downward to avoid havingthe weight of the items pull on the periphery 48, 66, 76, 86 too much toundesirably disengage or preclude mounting of the holder. For lighterand less bulky items, the holder 40, 60, 70, 80 may be mounted on themounting surface 26 with their appendage 44, 64, 74, 84 oriented in anydirection. The item holders 40, 60, 70, 80 are otherwise identical tothe item holder of the first embodiment and therefore will not bedescribed in further detail.

FIG. 8 shows an item holder 100 according to another embodiment of thepresent invention including a body 102 having a periphery 106 and anappendage 104 extending from a base 108 connected to or adjacent theperiphery to a tip 110 opposite the base. The holder 100 furtherincludes a connector 112. As with previous embodiments, the holder 100according to this embodiment may have various shapes without departingfrom the scope of the present invention. For example, FIG. 8 shows theperiphery 106 shaped as a car. As shown in FIGS. 8-10, the connector 112can connect the appendage 104 adjacent the tip 110 to the holder 100adjacent the base 108 of the appendage to form a loop 114 for holdingthe item 32 during use of the holder 100. The holder 100 may include alink 34 for attaching the item 32 to the loop 114 or the item may beconnected directly to the loop. In one embodiment, the item 32 includesa link 34 for connecting the item to the holder 100 through the loop 114and in another embodiment both the item and the holder include links forconnecting the holder and the item together during use of the holder.The holder 100 may include various types of links 34 for holding variousitems 32, including the links and items described above, withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

The holder 100 may include various types of connectors 112 withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. In some embodiments,the connector 112 removably connects the appendage 104 adjacent the tip110 to the holder 100 adjacent the base 108 of the appendage. Forexample, FIGS. 8-10 show an embodiment in which the connector 112 is ahook-and-pile fastener having a first part 116 attached to the appendage104 adjacent the tip 110 and a second part 118 attached to the appendage104 adjacent the base 108 of the appendage. Other exemplary releasableconnectors (not shown) include an adhesive, a latch, a magnet, and asnap-type fastener. In some embodiments (not shown), the connector 112non-removably connects the appendage 104 adjacent the tip 110 to theholder 100 adjacent the base 108. For example, in one embodiment theconnector 112 is an adhesive or a staple non-removably connecting theappendage 104 adjacent the tip 110 to the appendage 104 adjacent thebase 108. As used herein, non-removable does not mean incapable of beingremoved or separated, but rather means generally fixed and not made foreasy and/or repeated removal or separation. In another embodiment,material of the appendage 104 adjacent the tip 110 is molded or weldedto material of the holder 100, such as other material of the appendage,adjacent the base 108 to form the connector 112. The item holder 100 ofthis embodiment is otherwise identical to item holders of earlierdescribed embodiments and therefore will not be described in furtherdetail.

FIG. 11 shows an item holder 120 according to yet another embodiment ofthe present invention including a flexible body 122 having an outersurface 124 and an inner surface 126 opposite the outer surface. Asshown in FIG. 12, the outer surface 124 includes a convex portion 128and the inner surface 126 includes a concave portion 130 opposite theconvex portion. The holder 120 further includes a fastener 132 attachedto the outer surface 124 of the body 122. As shown in FIG. 12, thefastener 132 is used for attaching an item 134 to the holder 120. Theholder 120 may be used to hold various items 134 without departing fromthe scope of the invention. Exemplary items 134 include a calendar, aphoto or photo display frame, art, a pad of paper, and a dry-eraseboard. When the holder 120 is used to hold items that can be written on,such as a calendar, pad of paper, or dry-erase board, it is contemplatedthat the holder may also hold a writing instrument, such as a pencil,pen, or dry-erase marker. The writing instrument may be connected to theholder 120, such as by way of a string or cord and a hole (not shown forthis embodiment) through the body 122, such as those described above.The writing instrument may also be connected to the holder 120 by way ofthe item 134, such as by being attached to the pad of paper by way ofthe string or cord.

In some embodiments of the item holder 120, the fastener 132 is attachedto the outer surface 124 without any part of the fastener being embeddedinto the flexible body 122. In those embodiments, the holder 120 may besubstantially free of material other than material of the body 122between the outer surface 124 and the inner surface 126. The holder 120may include a variety of types of fasteners 132 without departing fromthe scope of the present invention. The fasteners 132 can releasably ornon-releasably connect the body 122 to the item 134. For example, FIG.13 shows an item holder 140 in which the fastener 142 includes amagnetic or snap-type fastener having a first part 144 attached to theflexible body 122 and a second part 146 connectable to the item 134 forreleasably securing the item to the body. Other releasable fasteners 142include an adhesive or hook-and-pile fastener. The fasteners 132, 142may be connected to the body 122 in various ways including beingconnected to the body permanently by adhesive or otherwise or releasablyby adhesive or otherwise.

The fasteners 132, 142 may be attached to various portions of the outersurface 124 of the body 122. In one embodiment, the fasteners 132, 142are attached to a portion of the outer surface 124 other than the convexportion 128. In another embodiment, the holder 120, 140 includes anappendage (not shown in detail), such as those described above and shownin FIGS. 4-7, extending from the body 122 and the fastener 132, 142 isattached to the appendage. The item holders 120, 140 of this embodimentare otherwise identical to holders of earlier described embodiments andtherefore will not be described in further detail.

FIG. 14 shows an item holder 150 according to still another embodimentof the present invention. The holder 150 according to this embodimentincludes a flexible body 152 having an outer surface 154 and an innersurface 156 opposite the outer surface. The flexible body 152 includes ahole 158 extending through the body in a lateral direction with respectto the body (i.e., generally parallel to the mounting surface duringmounting of the holder 150 on the mounting surface). The hole 158 may beused for holding an item 32 (shown in FIG. 2) during use of the holder150. The holder 150 may include a link 34 (shown in FIG. 2) extendingthrough the hole 158 for attaching the item 32 to the holder 150 or theitem may be connected directly to the flexible body 152 through the holeduring use of the holder. In one embodiment, the item 32 includes thelink 34 for connecting it to the body 152 through the hole 158 and inanother embodiment both the item and the holder 150 include links forconnecting the item and holder together during use of the holder. Theflexible body 152 has a thickness T measured between its outer surface154 and inner surface 156. Although the flexible body 152 may have otherthicknesses T without departing from the scope of the present invention,in one embodiment the flexible body has a generally constant throughoutthe body. In another embodiment, the thickness T of the flexible body152 is greater adjacent the hole 158 than in other parts of the body.

The hole 158 may be formed in various locations of the flexible body 152without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example,as shown in FIG. 14, the hole 158 may be formed adjacent an edge 160 ofthe flexible body 152. The edge 160 surrounds the flexible body 152 and,when the holder 150 includes an appendage as described above regardingother embodiments, the edge surrounds the body and the appendage. Forembodiments of the holder 150 having an extra portion and/or anappendage, as described above regarding other embodiments, the hole 158may be formed in the extra portion and/or in the appendage. The hole 158may extend between one location of the edge 160 to another location ofthe edge. The item holder 150 of this embodiment is otherwise identicalto holders of earlier described embodiments and therefore will not bedescribed in further detail.

FIG. 15 shows an item holder 170 according to another embodiment of thepresent invention. The holder 170 according to this embodiment includesa flexible body 172 having an outer surface 174 and an inner surface 176opposite the outer surface. The holder 170 further includes a protrusion178 extending from the outer surface 174 of the body 172 having a hole180 extending through it in a generally lateral direction with respectto the flexible body (i.e., generally parallel to the mounting surfaceduring mounting of the holder 170 on the mounting surface). The hole 180may be used for holding an item 32 (shown in FIG. 2) during use of theholder 170. The protrusion 178 may be made of various materials withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. For example, in oneembodiment (shown in FIG. 15) the protrusion 178 is made integrally withthe flexible body 172 as a part thereof and includes the same materialas the rest of the body. In another embodiment (not shown), theprotrusion 178 is formed separately from the flexible body 172 and thenmounted on the outer surface 174 of the body. The separately formedprotrusion may include the same material as the flexible body 172 ormaterials different from the body. The separately formed protrusion 178may be secured to the outer surface 174 in various ways, such as byadhesion or molding.

The protrusion 178 may be positioned in various locations on the outersurface 174 of the flexible body 172 and have various sizes and shapeswithout departing from the scope of the present invention. For example,as shown in FIG. 15, the protrusion 178 may extend from the outersurface 174 adjacent an edge 182 of the flexible body 172. Theprotrusion 178 may also extend from a section 184 of the outer surface174 that is opposite a concave portion 186 of the inner surface 176 orextend from the outer surface between that section and the edge 182. Forembodiments of the holder 170 having an extra portion and/or anappendage, as described above regarding other embodiments of the presentinvention, the protrusion 178 may be positioned on the extra portionand/or on the appendage. The protrusion 178 may extend in the lateraldirection part of the way or all of the way from one side of the body tothe other side of the body. The protrusion 178 may be rounded, as shownin FIG. 15, or squared. The item holder 170 of this embodiment isotherwise identical to holders of earlier described embodiments andtherefore will not be described in further detail.

FIG. 16 shows an item holder 190 according to another embodiment of thepresent invention. The holder 190 includes a flexible body 192 having anouter surface 194 and an inner surface 196. The flexible body 192includes a protrusion 198 extending from the inner surface 196 of thebody. The protrusion 198 has a hole 200 extending laterally through itfor holding an item 32 (shown in FIG. 2) during use of the holder 190.The protrusion 198 may be positioned in various locations on the innersurface 196 of the flexible body 192 and have various sizes and shapeswithout departing from the scope of the present invention. For example,as shown in FIG. 16, the protrusion 198 may extend from the innersurface 196 adjacent an edge 202 of the flexible body 192. Forembodiments of the holder 190 having an extra portion and/or anappendage, as described above regarding other embodiments, theprotrusion 198 may be positioned on the extra portion and/or on theappendage. It is contemplated that the item holder 190 may includeprotrusions 198 extending from both the outer surface 194 and the innersurface 196 of the flexible body 192. The item holder 190 of thisembodiment is otherwise identical to holders of earlier describedembodiments and therefore will not be described in further detail.

When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferredembodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the”, and “said” areintended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms“comprising”, “including”, and “having” are intended to be inclusive andmean that there may be additional elements other than the listedelements.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

1.-17. (canceled)
 18. An item holder mountable by suction on a generallysmooth mounting surface comprising: a deformable body including: anouter surface having a convex portion that is substantially free ofprotrusions; an inner surface having a concave portion opposite saidconvex portion; and a periphery extending around the body andsurrounding the inner surface and outer surface; and a fastener attachedto said outer surface of the body for attaching an item to the holder;wherein the body is deformable from an undeformed shape to an actuatedshape to mount the holder on the mounting surface by positioning theinner surface of the body adjacent the mounting surface when the body isin its undeformed shape thereby forming a cavity between the body andthe mounting surface and deforming the body to its actuated shapethereby sealing the body against the mounting surface and forcing fluidout of the cavity to create a suction between the body and the mountingsurface thereby securing the body to the mounting surface.
 19. A holderas set forth in claim 18 wherein the holder is substantially free ofmaterial other than material of the body between said outer surface andsaid inner surface.
 20. A holder as set forth in claim 18 wherein saidfastener is attached to a portion of said outer surface other than saidconvex portion.
 21. A holder as set forth in claim 18 wherein thefastener includes an adhesive or a part of a hook-and-pile fastener. 22.A holder as set forth in claim 18 further comprising a message displayedon at least one surface of a group of surfaces consisting of the outersurface and the inner surface of the body.
 23. A holder as set forth inclaim 18 wherein the periphery has a shape selected from a group ofshapes consisting of non-circular and unsymmetric.
 24. An item holdermountable by suction on a generally smooth mounting surface comprising:a deformable body including: an outer surface; an inner surface having aconcave portion opposite said outer surface; and a periphery extendingaround the body and surrounding the inner surface and outer surface; andan appendage extending from a base connected to said periphery to a tipopposite the base; and a fastener attached to said appendage forattaching an item to the holder; wherein the body is deformable from anundeformed shape to an actuated shape to mount the holder on themounting surface by positioning the inner surface of the body adjacentthe mounting surface when the body is in its undeformed shape therebyforming a cavity between the body and the mounting surface and deformingthe body to its actuated shape thereby sealing the body against themounting surface and forcing fluid out of the cavity to create a suctionbetween the body and the mounting surface thereby securing the body tothe mounting surface.
 25. A holder as set forth in claim 24 wherein theholder is substantially free of material other than material of the bodybetween said outer surface and said inner surface.
 26. A holder as setforth in claim 24 wherein said outer surface has a convex portion thatis substantially free of protrusions. 27.-39. (canceled)